Three things to watch for in JD Vance’s RNC speech

Wednesday’s convention theme, “Make America Strong Once Again,” is expected to focus on US foreign policy, highlighting the former president’s “America First” isolationist policies that reshaped US relationships on the world stage.

Mr Vance has been sharply critical of the Biden administration’s foreign policy on issues including the US withdrawal in Afghanistan, the Israel-Gaza war, southern border security and support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The nomination of Mr Vance has stoked fears in Europe over the implications of a second Trump presidency for both the Nato alliance and continued US military and financial aid for Ukraine.

The Ohio senator told the Munich Security Conference in February that European countries needed to shoulder a bigger burden so the US could pivot to East Asia against a rising China.

He played a key role in delaying the $60bn (£46bn) military aid package from Washington earlier this year and has suggested that Ukraine should broker a peace deal with Russia, even if that means giving up territory.

But the Republican party remains divided over support for Ukraine and it’s unclear if Mr Vance’s scepticism of Ukraine aid will influence Trump.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, traveled to Milwaukee on Tuesday to meet with Trump on continued aid. Following the meeting, he posted on X that he had “no doubt that [Trump] will be strong and decisive in supporting that country and defending democracy”.

Concerns about a second Trump presidency rattled stock markets after Trump told Bloomberg Businessweek , externalthat Taiwan should have to pay for its own defense.

In response to a question on whether he would defend Taiwan against China, which sees the self-governing island as a breakaway province, the former president said: “You know, we’re no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesn’t give us anything.”

He also said Taiwan, which is critical to the global chipmaking industry, “took 100% of our chip industry”, sending semiconductor stocks tumbling on Wednesday.